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Small liquid chillers

(1607 products available)

About small liquid chillers

Types of small liquid chillers

A refrigerator is a machine designed to remove heat from a liquid by evaporating a refrigerant vapor from the liquid in a heat exchange vessel. Small liquid chillers play a similar role but do so on a more miniature scale, often using water as a cooling medium.

Generally, liquid chillers are categorized depending on the type of heat exchanger they use and the type of refrigerant they utilize.

  • Air-cooled chillers use ambient air to dissipate heat, making them independent of water-cooled systems. On the other hand, water-cooled chillers employ a cooling tower or other water sources for heat exchange.
  • Industrial chillers can be glycol chillers or evaporative-cooling chillers based on their cooling mediums. Industrial glycol chillers, commonly found in food and beverage manufacturing facilities, freezing and cooling processes, and outdoor locations subjected to high ambient temperatures, offer precise temperature control and prevent product freeze. An evaporative-cooling chiller, just like a cooling tower, employs the evaporation of water to cool the refrigerant. It is mostly used in large commercial and industrial HVAC systems where water is an abundant resource, and high cooling efficiency is required.
  • Air-cooled small portable liquid chillers are typically compact devices that use the refrigerant cycle to cool a specific area or object within a room. Air-cooled small portable liquid chillers are ideal when the budget is limited.
  • Air-cooled remote chillers are located away from the equipment being cooled. They use long-distance refrigerant piping and remote air-cooled condenser units. Airtight remote liquid cooling chillers are suitable for applications that require cooling from a distance.

Specifications and Maintenance of Small Liquid Chillers

Understanding the specifications is crucial for knowing how liquid chillers function. Having a brief knowledge of the specifications will help one know what to expect from the performance of this equipment.

  • Cooling Capacity

    Small liquid chillers' cooling capacity range is typically between 1 ton to 20 tons (12,000 BTU to 240,000 BTU) per hour. Some models can even have up to 200 tons of cooling capacity. This is equivalent to the amount of heat removal they can achieve in a given time.

  • Operating Temperature

    The evaporation temperature range of small liquid chillers can vary, typically from -15°C (5°F) to 10°C (50°F). This determines the lowest temperature at which the chiller can operate effectively.

  • Energy Efficiency

    Small liquid chillers are often given an energy efficiency ratio (EER) or coefficient of performance (COP). The EER typically ranges from 3.0 to 5.5, while the COP ranges from 1.5 to 6.0. These numbers may vary according to the particular model in question.

  • Power Consumption

    Small liquid chillers typically use between 1.5 kW and 10 kW. The power they consume depends on factors like their cooling capacity, efficiency, and operational conditions.

  • Refrigerant Type

    Small liquid chillers use different refrigerants depending on their model. Common types are R134a, R404A, and R407C.

  • Physical Dimensions

    Small liquid chillers physical dimensions vary according to whether it is an air-cooled chiller or a water-cooled chiller. An example of a dimensional measurement is a length of 60 inches (1524 mm), a width of 42 inches (1067 mm), and a height of 48 inches (1219 mm).

  • Operating Ambient Conditions

    Small liquid chillers can function in a variety of environments, including indoor and outdoor settings. The ambient temperature around them must be within a certain range, say -10°C (14°F) to 50°C (122°F), and the humidity must not exceed 90% in order for them to operate properly.

To maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of small liquid chillers, regular maintenance is crucial. Some simple routine maintenance tips are:

  • Frequent cleaning of the small liquid chiller is important. This helps remove any dust or debris that may block air passages.
  • Ensuring all bolts and nuts are secured properly can help maintain chiller performance and prevent rapid equipment aging.
  • Temperature and pressure gauges should be regularly checked. Doing this can help detect any working abnormalities of the chiller.
  • Each part of the liquid small chiller should be oiled or lubricated to avoid unnecessary friction and equipment damage.

Application scenarios of small liquid chillers

Small industrial liquid chillers are essential machines in different industries. The following are some common application scenarios where small liquid coolers are useful:

  • Food and beverage industry

    Small liquid chillers are useful in food processing and dairy industries to cool and preserve perishable products. For instance, in the meat processing industry, small liquid chillers help maintain the quality of meat by preventing the growth of bacteria. Also, the chillers help maintain the fresh quality of juices, carbonated drinks, and breweries by controlling the fermentation and carbonation processes.

  • Plastic and Injection Molding

    Small industrial chillers for plastics are essential in plastic molding. They help cool molds quickly and uniformly. This results in shorter cycle times and improved precision in molded plastic parts.

  • Laser machines

    Small liquid chillers are cooling the laser tubes and other components producing heat in the laser machines. By regulating the temperature of the laser tube, liquid chillers enhance the stability and consistency of the laser beam. These machines can be in the medical industry, manufacturing, or construction.

  • Water-cooled condensers

    Small liquid chillers are useful in cooling water-cooled condensers. These condensers extract heat from refrigerant vapor in an air conditioning system. By cooling the condenser, the performance of the air conditioning system is improved, enhancing its efficiency.

  • Machine tooling and manufacturing

    Liquid chillers regulate the temperature of cutting tools during machining processes. They improve the manufacturing processes. Temperature control in machining reduces thermal expansion, resulting in improved precision.

  • Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry

    In the medical and pharmaceutical industry, small liquid chillers are used to cool incubators and bioreactors. Maintaining the right temperature is essential for successful chemical reactions and cell activities. Also, small liquid chillers are used in laboratories. They cool analytical instruments and microscopes to ensure precision, reliability, and stable operation of the laboratory equipment.

  • Indoor climate control systems

    Small liquid chillers are useful in indoor climate control. They are used in different buildings including commercial, and industrial to regulate room temperatures and humidity.

How to Choose Small Liquid Chillers

Business buyers looking to invest in small liquid cooling chillers for commercial use must consider several essential factors.

  • Capacity:

    Determine the cooling capacity of the chillers. It is usually expressed in tons or kilowatts and indicates how much heat the chiller can remove from the liquid per unit of time. Calculate the cooling load requirements for the specific application to choose a chiller with an appropriate capacity.

  • Operating Temperature Range:

    Consider the temperature range at which the liquid needs to be cooled. Different small liquid chillers have different temperature ranges. Choose a chiller that can achieve the desired temperature within the necessary timeframe.

  • Energy Efficiency:

    Evaluate the energy efficiency of the chiller, typically represented by its Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or Coefficient of Performance (COP). Selecting a small liquid chiller with high energy efficiency helps to minimize operating costs and environmental impact.

  • Cooling Method:

    Decide on the preferred cooling method of the chiller, such as air-cooled or water-cooled. Consider factors like available space, noise levels, and the facility's capacity to provide sufficient water for a water-cooled chiller, which requires a constant supply of water. An air-cooled chiller is more suitable for small spaces, while a water-cooled chiller is more efficient for larger cooling needs.

  • Installation Requirements:

    Examine the installation requirements of the small liquid coolers. Consider factors like space constraints, weight, and dimensions to ensure the chiller can be easily integrated into the existing infrastructure.

  • Noise Level:

    Check the noise level generated by the liquid cooler chiller. Consider choosing a chiller with a low noise level or an additional soundproof device for application areas sensitive to noise.

Q & A

Q: What is the difference between a chiller and a Cooler?

A: Chillers and coolers have the same function of removing heat from liquid. While chillers utilize a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle to accomplish the task, coolers may use varied methods, including thermoelectric modules, to cool liquids.

Q: What is the difference between a chiller and a refrigerator?

A: Chillers and refrigerators both use similar refrigeration cycles to remove heat. While refrigerators are typically designed to maintain low temperatures inside cabinets and are used for household and commercial applications. Chilllers are larger units designed to cool liquids used in industrial processes.

Q: Do chillers consume a lot of electricity?

A: While small air-cooled liquid chillers will consume a fair bit of electricity, larger industrial cooling systems are more energy-efficient. Their massive size means that each system is able to produce far more cool air, which works out to a lower cost per unit of cool air.